John W. Redmann | May 7, 2025 | Car Accidents
If you’ve been in a car accident, things can get confusing fast. Between dealing with injuries, fixing your car, and calling your insurance company, there’s a lot to think about. One of the most common questions we hear at our personal injury law firm in Louisiana is: “How long do I have to report an accident to State Farm?”
In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about accident reporting deadlines, why it matters, and how to protect your rights when dealing with insurance companies like State Farm.
What Is State Farm’s Reporting Deadline?
State Farm recommends that you report a car accident as soon as possible. While there is no hard deadline written in your policy, the key term they use is “prompt notice.” This means you should report the accident right away — ideally within 24 to 72 hours after the crash.
Delaying too long can cause problems with your claim. If State Farm believes the delay hurt their ability to investigate, they may deny coverage or reduce your payout. Try to report the accident to State Farm within three days to stay safe.
Why Reporting Quickly Is Important
Even if the accident wasn’t your fault, it’s still important to notify State Farm quickly.
Here are a few reasons why:
Protect Your Right to Coverage
State Farm may claim that a delay hurt their ability to look into the accident. That could mean denying your claim completely.
Get the Claims Process Started
The sooner you file, the faster you can start getting your car repaired or medical bills covered.
Follow Louisiana Law
In Louisiana, you must report an accident to the police immediately if someone was hurt or there was over $500 in property damage. That report helps with your claim, too.
Reporting quickly helps keep your claim on track and shows you’re being responsible.
How to Report an Accident to State Farm
State Farm gives you several ways to report an accident. You can choose the one that’s easiest for you:
- Call 1-800-SF-CLAIM (1-800-732-5246)
- Use the State Farm mobile app
- Report online at statefarm.com
- Contact your local State Farm agent
When you report, have the following ready:
- Date and time of the accident
- Location of the crash
- Names and contact info of everyone involved
- Police report number (if you have one)
- Photos or videos of damage (if possible)
Providing clear and complete details will help State Farm process your claim faster.
What Happens After You Report?
Once you report the accident, State Farm will open a claim and assign an adjuster.
The adjuster will:
- Review your report
- Investigate the accident
- Inspect the damage
- Talk to witnesses (if needed)
- Decide who was at fault
- They will then offer you a settlement based on their findings.
After reporting, stay in contact with your adjuster and respond quickly to any requests for information.
What If You’re Late Reporting the Accident?
If you wait too long to report the accident, State Farm might:
- Deny your claim
- Say you violated your policy terms
- Offer a smaller payout
- Claim they can’t investigate fairly
But don’t panic. If you were injured or delayed for a good reason (like being in the hospital), an experienced Louisiana personal injury attorney can help you explain the delay. Even if you’re late, it’s still worth reporting and speaking with a lawyer to protect your rights.
What About Filing a Personal Injury Claim?
After a car accident, report it to State Farm within 24–72 hours to protect your claim. But don’t stop there—if you’re injured, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover full compensation. In Louisiana, you only have one year from the accident date to take legal action. Miss the deadline, and you could lose your right to sue—even if the other driver was clearly at fault. Contact a Louisiana personal injury lawyer right away to protect your rights.
Contact the Metairie Car Accident Lawyers of The Law Office of John W. Redmann, LLC for Help Today
If you were injured in an accident in Metairie or Gretna, Louisiana, and need legal help, contact our car accident attorneys at The Law Office of John W. Redmann, LLC, to schedule a free case review today.
We serve Jefferson Parish County and Louisiana’s surrounding Areas
The Law Office of John W. Redmann, LLC – Metairie, LA Office
2901 N Causeway Blvd, STE 202
Metairie, LA, 70002
(504) 500-5000
The Law Office of John W. Redmann, LLC – Gretna, LA Office